こそ

Meanings

1. Particle it is ... that ...; precisely; in particular; definitely; for sure; only (when, after, because, etc.) (emphasizes preceding word or phrase)
2. although; while; it is the case that ... but (as こそあれ, こそすれ, こそするが, etc.)
3. it is precisely because ... that ...; only because ... (after conditional -ba form of verb)
4. not at all; not in the slightest; absolutely not; never (after -nai stem of verb + ば)

Example sentences

• 君こそその仕事に最適任だよ。
  You're the best man for the job.
• 君こそその仕事に最も適任だよ。
  You're the best man for the job.
• 危うく車がぶつかりそうになり、彼女は怪我こそしなかったが、ぞっとして鳥肌がたった。
  She wasn't hurt, but she got goose bumps when her car nearly crashed.
• 画家は自分の持っている技法を使ってこそ真の画家となる。
  A painter only becomes a true painter by practicing his craft.
• 我こそ魔女がりの大将。
  I'm the witchfinder general.

Words containing こそ

• こちらこそ it is I who should say so
• それでこそ just what you'd expect from ...
• それこそ especially

And 11 more.

Jinuma: Japanese Dictionary · Word lists